Introduction

to FileMaker
Session 2

Byron Songer
Louisville, KY
quick review of
last session
 Handling Data
and Objects
The four levels of working in
FileMaker normal data entry
Browse Mode
finding information
Find Mode designing layouts
Layout Mode
seeing how information
will look when printed
Preview Mode
 Design
Considerations
The three methods of viewing data
Form View
List View
Table View
Each has its own advantages and
disadvantages at the data entry level
and the design level
 Naming
Conventions
Develop a method, have reasons, be
human
Fields
ID fields - key fields for FileMaker
User fields - data manipulation
Non-user fields - calculation, summary
and global types
Table Occurrences - context
sensitive
Objects (tabs, buttons) - things
 Naming
Conventions
Develop a method, have reasons, be
human
Considerations
Readability
Consistency
Technical use
Compatibility
Human interaction
 Some Specifics
Naming Fields
Should contain only the
characters:
Upper & Lower Case: a-z or A-Z
Numeric: 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Single underscore
No math operation or
punctuation characters
Use spaces carefully
 Some Specifics
Naming Fields
Think in terms of subject and modifier
Dialogue box interaction
alphabetically presented
reduces searching through list
Examples:
Name First, Name Last, Name Full c
adr Street, adr City, adr State
 Some Specifics
Other Fields
ID fields - begin with “_k”
Examples:
_kp User ID - primary key
_kf Product ID - foreign key
 Some Specifics
Other Fields
Not user editable
Examples:
z Date Create, z Date Modifiy
zc Subtotal, zc Total
zs Total Month, zs Sold Qty
zg Logo
 Lets Review
Follow a method
Alphabetical arrangement
Understandable names
Self-documenting
Solution Starter
quick overview
for this session
 Tasks
Take Starter Solution from flat file
(one table) to relational (two
tables)
One portal for work viewed via
person form
Necessitates
Adding one table and fields
Establishing relationship
Redesigning person form
Considerations
105
pixels
high

15
pixels
wide

15
pixels
high
Considerations
22
pixels
high

3 pixels wide 15
pixels
wide

15
pixels
high
Starting Point
Destination
Along the way
Let’s get
started!
FileMaker 102